Dry gangrene

Contents • 1 Background • 1.1 Gangrene General Info • 2 Clinical Features • 3 Differential Diagnosis • 3.1 Foot infection • 3.2 Look A-Likes • 4 Evaluation • 5 Management • 6 Disposition • 7 See Also • 8 External Links • 9 References Background • A form of tissue necrosis characterized by critically insufficient blood supply leading to tissue death. • Primarily divided into wet gangrene vs dry gangrene. Other, specific forms of gangrene include • Most commonly occur in distal extremities, clasically the feet. • Main risk factors are Clinical Features • Usually due to • Presents with dry, shrunken tissue, usually ranging from dark red to completely black, often with a clear line of demarcation between healthy and necrotic tissue. • Typically not painful. Differential Diagnosis • • • • • • • • • • • • • Wet-sock erosions Look A-Likes • • • • Evaluation • History and physical examination are usually sufficient to make the diagnosis. • If acute limb ischemia is suspected, consider a CTA of the affected limb and a vascular surgery consultation. Management • Infection rarely present • Keep area clean and dry to prevent infection • Will usually auto-amputate in <6mo • Refer to vascular surgery in case fails to auto-amputate; may benefit from revascularization therapy to prevent further tissue death • If Disposition • Outpatient, if See Also • External Links References

What is gangrene? Gangrene is the localised death of body tissue. Dry gangrene is due to prolonged ischaemia ( infarction) or inadequate oxygenation or lack of blood flow. Ischaemia affecting proximal blood vessels usually affects the lower limbs. Ischaemia of the peripheries may cause gangrene of fingers and toes. Peripheral gangrene due to ischaemia What are the early signs of ischaemia? Proximal severe acute ischaemia presents as a pale, paralysed pulseless limb. This is a surgical emergency because it may progress to extensive gangrene if the obstruction is not rapidly removed. Distal peripheral vascular obstruction presents as blue, grey or purple patches, blisters or ulcers at the ends of the digits. See syndrome. Ischaemia in other sites may also result in localised necrosis of the skin and deeper tissues. Peripheral ischaemia What causes ischaemia? Ischaemia is due to an acute or chronic interruption in blood supply and is often due to a combination of both. Acute ischaemia may be due to: • Embolism • Acute arterial thrombosis • Vascular trauma • • Extreme cold injury ( • Infection-related disseminated intravascular coagulopathy or purpura fulminans. Emboli Emboli are particles that flow through the bloodstream until they lodge at an arterial junction or narrowing. Emboli may be composed of: • Cholesterol dislodged from the heart (80%) or a large artery (aorta, iliac vessel) • Tumour • Septic embolus (infectious particles) • Fat dislodged during an operation • Fore...

Dry gangrene is an uncommon condition wherein some parts of the body become dry and subsequently turn black over time due to lack of blood flow. The skin and tissues may even slough off in severe cases. Dry gangrene differs from other types of gangrene because there is no accompanying infection from a burn or other trauma that causes a body part to be cut off from the blood supply, nor is there an excretion of pus or other fluids. It commonly affects the extremities, especially the hands and feet, although it can also affect the limbs, muscles, and even the internal organs. People who have an underlying condition, such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an autoimmune disease are at higher risk to develop dry gangrene. X Research source Stop smoking . Kicking this habit can help prevent gangrene and its escalation as smoking contributes to the slow blockage of blood supply to the blood vessels. When the blood stops flowing, tissues die, and that's when gangrene can set in. Anything that cuts off circulation needs to be avoided, and this certainly includes smoking. X National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK • The active ingredient in cigarettes, nicotine, is what greatly affects the blood vessels. It constricts the blood vessels, therefore resulting in less blood flow. If a body part has less blood flow, it will also have less oxygen. The prolonged lack of oxygen in body tissues causes it to become necrotic tissue (dead tissue), which can lea...